Burmese Days: A Novel (Harbrace Paperbound Library, Hpl 62)

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant but devastating look at English-Colonial Burma.
Review: This novel, though not as well known as Orwell's famous "1984," is political criticism at its best. Drawing heavily on his own experiences in colonial Burma in the early decades of the 20th century, Orwell has painted us an eye-opening and painful portrait of that world. The protagonist is an Englishman named James Flory, living in the small town of Kyauktada. He is different from his fellow English colonials, outcast because of his sympathy for the Burmese and friendship with the local native Dr. Veraswami, and constantly ashamed and self-conscious because of an unsightly birthmark across his face.

Flory is a rather pathetic creature, lacking the courage to stand up for what he believes in and to defend his friend Veraswami from the corrupt local politician who wishes to ruin him. He also falls for a pretty young woman, Elizabeth Lackersteen, probably because she is the only Englishwoman of marriageable age anywhere in the vicinity. She is, in reality, just as shallow and empty-headed as the rest of the English colonials, though Flory fails to see this. And yet despite all this we still sympathize with Flory, because he is the only one who recognizes and expresses disgust at the injustices being done by the English toward the Burmese.

This is a depressing book, no doubt about it. Flory lacks the strength necessary to avert disaster, and disaster is what occurs. Yet "Burmese Days" is a brilliant novel that is well-worth the read, and indeed should by read by everyone. There are few, if any, truly likeable characters in the book, but each serves an important role in delivering Orwell's messages about colonialism, racism, society, and the role of women. Nothing is spared in this biting, cynical, astute look at human nature. The ending is the ultimate irony, and packs the final, depressing punch.

George Orwell is among the best of English writers in terms of creating atmosphere and a sense of realism, and "Burmese Days" is a prime example. The descriptions are so vivid that the Burmese jungles simply rise up off the pages, steaming and sweltering, to greet you. You can almost feel the deadening heat and humidity, the mugginess, the stickiness, and it brings the misery of the characters to life. Orwell's language flows smoothly and achieves its aim to utmost perfection. This particular edition (1974 Harvest Books printing) has a few distracting typos, but not so many that I'd knock down my rating of the book overall. Definitely a must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Cinematic Chronicle of Sickness
Review: Unevenly written at times, but a great story of the decaying British empire: After some 15 years in hot and miserable Upper Burma, the wretched James Flory, 35, a man whose inner rot is as obvious as the great, ugly birthmark on his pasty cheek, convinces himself that a vapid young English girl carries his hope of redemption. Flory is sick about the state of the empire, sick about the way his fellow Club members slag the natives and Flory's Indian friend Dr. Veraswami, sick about his Burmese concubine, and just generally, fundamentally sick. Elizabeth, a club member's niece, is pretty and modern, but he never quite figures out that she's as twisted, racist, and proud as his hated colleagues, and meanwhile he stumbles in the way of the plans of the fabulously corpulent and corrupt U Po Kyin, a Burmese bureaucrat of ruthless ambition. Needless to say, it all ends quite badly. Narratively, the book is most remarkable for its cinematic style, especially considering when it was written.

Rating:
Summary: A treat for Orwell fans
Review: When most people think of George Orwell they think of Nineteen Eighty-Four and perhaps Animal Farm. Many people don't realize that he also wrote a number of other books and essays that were successful before he wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four. One of these books that Orwell wrote before Nineteen Eight-Four is `Burmese Days.' This book was published originally in 1934. The subject is appropriate for Orwell since Orwell spent time in Burma as an Imperial Policeman. `Burmese Days' is about a man in a remote British outpost in Burma when Burma was still a British Colony. The man, named Flory, works for a British timber company harvesting timber from Burma.
Many issues are raised in this book. The main issues are the attitudes of the British toward the Burmese. Burmese attitudes towards the British are looked at. Issues of friendship are explored. One of the biggest issues is idealism, honesty, and loyalty vs. greed, excessive materialism, and selfishness.
The issue of Burmese vs. British relations is explored in the relationship between the main character Flory and his friend Dr. Veraswami. Other characters such as Ellis are used to illustrate the stupid and immature nature of most of the Englishmen's attitudes toward the Burmese.
The book also shows how most people are really just slaves to their inner instincts and the social constructs that they are indoctrinated into. One of the points related to this that most people don't really understand new ideas or are cultured unless it benefits them personally.
The book uses Dr. Veraswami and U Po Kyin to symbolize the struggle between idealism, honesty, loyalty and greed, excessive materialism, and selfishness. This is done in a very intresting way as Dr. Veraswami and U Po Kyin struggle and position to get the best of eachother through the book.
The style of the book isn't the greatest I've ever read but it's adequate. Orwell could have been more descriptive at various points in the book with how characters are feeling and thinking. Orwell also has a tendency to tell rather then show in this novel. Over all though it is a good book with many complex issues that Orwell exposes and explores very well.